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With the raw edges to the left, start pleating at the top of the fabric, drawing the ruler from left to right to make each pleat. This positioning of the fabric facilitates basting the pleats closed before removing them from the pleater. need as much or more than the pleater will produce at once. Steam your inserted pleats thoroughly and allow the fabric to cool and dry completely before basting the raw edge and removing the fabric. Some fabrics may require more ' than one steaming to hold a sharp pleated edge. For synthetiCS only, you can also try a I-to-9-part mix of vinegar and water to set your pleats: Dampen a press cloth with this mixture and press through it to set your pleats with increased stability. To minimize distortion, remove the pleats from the pleater by rolling under the end of the pleater that's closest to you (opening the blinds, as it were) and gently pulling the pleats out, from bottom to top in the direction opposite to how you formed them. Continue rolling and removing the pleats until all are released. If you need to continue pleating more of your strip, re-insert the last pleat into the top slot of the pleater so new pleats blend in with previous pleats. That's about all there is to pleat- ing with a Perfect Pleater. For more ideas on using pleated fabrics, look at the drawings on these pages ... and let me know what you come up with! • Shirley Botsford writes and deSigns in Bedford, N. Y june/j uly 2000 51 A SKETCHBOOK OF PLEATED DESIG NS Let these ideas inspire the search for your own perfect application for pleated trim. Inserts and trims Collars and cuffs Flounces, tiers, and ruffles Around the house